Mountain Trekking in Nepal – 30 Suggestions

Whether you like rock climbing or bird watching, are on a tight budget, or have money to hire porters and guides, you can always find a suitable trekking trail in Nepal. A trip to the Himalayas of Nepal is a fantastic experience for most of us, offering views of snow-capped mountain peaks and the opportunity to meet indigenous mountain people who live almost isolated from the rest of the world.

All that is required of you is that you like to walk in nature. You don’t have to be super fit for every hike, but the better you are, the easier your hike will be. The best season for trekking in Nepal is from October to November and from February to April. In the summer months monsoon clouds obscure the magnificent views most of the time and in the winter months the high mountain passes are closed by heavy snowfall. But with the right knowledge, you can always find a good trek in Nepal. Just browse this list for an overview of your options.

Western Region of Nepal

1. Simikot, Humla

You can fly from Nepalganj and maybe read…Spy on the roof of the world— by Sydney Wignall before you left. Permits are $90 per person per week.

2. Rare Lake

4 days trek from Jumla to this the largest lake in Nepal. However, getting to Jumla is a multi-day plane/helicopter or jeep ride over a mountain road that is still under construction, and will be for the foreseeable future.

3. Upper Dolpo

First of all, watch the movie…Himalayan Caravan: A Chef’s Childhood— (Eric Valli 1999, Oscar nominee). It is mandatory! You might want to pick up one of his books too. Once that’s done, you’ll want to go to Lake Phoksundo, which you can do in 1 week or as part of the 15-day Dolpa Experience Circuit or the 20-day Dolpa Heritage Trek, all out of Juphal –airport–. Another couple of week-long activities are the Sundaha Nature Trek and the Sahartara Tour. An expensive permit is required as in Upper Mustang it is $70/person/day with a 10 day minimum. No hostels. The annual number of visitors is in the low hundreds.

4. Lower Dolpo

Permits are $10 per person per week. You may have to fly from Nepalgunj. Don’t expect hostels here, so bring your own camping gear.

5. Upper Mustang

10 days. Home of the ancient kingdom of Lo, still in existence, more or less. A substantial permit is required north of Kagbeni, $70 per person per day with a 10 day minimum.

Annapurna Region

6. Dhaulagiri

20-30 days to complete the circle around this 8000+’er. Bring good boots and a sleeping bag!

7. Annapurna Circuit

2-3 weeks minimum. This is where everyone goes. Except me. In high season it gets very crowded and is more appropriately called Annapurna Circus. Lodges and tea houses are everywhere. Thorung La High Pass (5400m) is usually closed at the end of November. If you bring your own camping gear, there are also good possibilities for excursions off the beaten track. Entrance fees to ACAP are 2,000 rupees.

8. Homsom and Muktinath

You can fly to or from Jomsom, a day’s walk from Muktinath, and walk to or from Pokhara in about 1 week. Muktinath is a major pilgrimage site located at 3,800 m. It is on the Annapurna circuit.

9. Annapurna Sanctuary and ABC

10-14 days, 2000 rupees note. Another popular option as it is shorter and slightly less demanding than doing the full Annapurna Circuit.

10. Ghorepani, Poon Hill

5 days outside of Pokhara, it reaches 3200 meters and is accessible all year round. Famous for its views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and rhododendrons in spring.

11. Panchase Peak and Ghandruk

Another holy mountain, it is a couple of days walk west of Pokhara. Ghandruk is 3 days further and is home to the Annapurna Conservation Project and lots of Gurung people.

12. The Royal Journey

4 days out of Pokhara. With an altitude not exceeding 2,000 meters, it is open all year round.

13. Siklish, Lake Begnas, Lamjung

1 week round trip from Pokhara, 10-12 days via Lamjung to Besisahar. The huts must be available, an ACAP permit of Rs 2000 is required.

14. Manaslu

3 weeks, go around this twin peak of more than 8000m that can be seen from Kathmandu. Pass over Larkya La at 5110 m. There are no shelters and the mandatory permit costs almost $100 per person per week.

nepalese center

15. Trishuli-Gorkha

The Easy Way – 4 days along the route taken by Prithvi Narayan Shah in 1768. Apparently has village lodges and stays below 2000m the whole way. The hard way: 2-3 weeks remote, off the beaten track. It passes over Sing La (3,570 m) and over Jogeshwar kund (4,500 m). Camping equipment is required.

16. Ganesh Himal

No huts, rough and remote. But wow, I wouldn’t want to go there! The highest peak is over 7,000 meters, and its prominent view from Kathmandu makes it worthwhile if you like to brag about your adventures when you return to civilization.

17. Tamang Heritage Trail

8 days, the shelters are still under construction.

18. Langtang and Gosaikunda / Panch Pokhari

1-2 weeks minimum. Third most visited in Nepal, after Annapurna and Everest. Fairly easy, not too crowded, especially in the Gosaikunda Lake area (4400m) which is possibly the most scenic. Langtang valley has lodges every hour or so up to Kyanjing Gompa (3900m), Gosaikunda trail has less but still enough for short days. Gosaikunda hosts the annual Janai Purniam festival and from there, you can walk back to Kathmandu in 2-4 days. Entry fee 1000 rupees.

19. Helambu

½-1 week, more jungle than mountains, but still a bumpy road. Teahouses available if you don’t get lost like that Aussie guy. Distant but awesome views of the mountains before getting too close to the mountain bases. –Walking distance– from Kathmandu, Sundarijal circuit to Nagarkot (4 days).

20. Namobuddha

1 day, one of the few quickies you can do when the noise and pollution of Kathmandu start to get on your nerves. Take the bus to Dhulikel and start walking.

21. Rolwaling and Gauri Shankar

2 weeks or so. Get up close and personal with Gauri Shankar (7130m) and its glacial lakes. Good view of Everest etc. Unspoiled landscape, permission is still required but check with the Nepal Tourism Board when you get here. There are rumors that they are making this permit free.

22. Chitwan Chepang Hills

7 days in the Middle Hills. There are no Himalayas and it does not exceed 2000 meters, so it could be a good option for winter trekking. Good view of (distant) Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Ganesh Himal, Gauri Shankar, Gurja Himal and Manaslu, but the main attraction is the nomadic Chepang people who live as hunters and gatherers. There is also a fort, a waterfall and some caves along the route along with 400 species of birds. Start at Hugdi on Prithvi Hwy, finish Shaktikor at Chitwan. Homestays are on the way.

Everest Region

23. Everest Base Camp and Kala Pathar

2 weeks out of Lukla, 3 weeks out of Kathmandu/Jiri with return flight from Lukla. If you don’t have an extra $50,000 for an Everest climbing permit, you can settle for this base camp trek. Most people seem to choose the Tengpoche route to KP which is at 5630m.

24. Mere Peak

2-3 weeks out of Lukla, 6500m. A popular expedition/ascent that requires some basic mountaineering skills, but without being too technical. Long driveway, 2 high camps.

25. Island Peak

3 weeks away from Lukla. At 6,100 meters, this hike is not for everyone. Although not very technical, it is a demanding snow climb. The views are everything you could dream of.

26. Gokyo Lakes, Peak and Renjo La

2 weeks away from Lukla. High pass at 5400m. Lakes at 4800m, peak at 5500m. Some cabins along the way. Great views of Everest.

27. Pikey and Dudhkunda Trail

1 or 2 weeks in the less – much less – visited southern part of Solukhumbu. Both Chiwong and Thuptenchoeling Buddhist monasteries are world renowned, the former famous for the Mani Rimdu dance festival, the latter is the largest monastery in Nepal.

Eastern Region of Nepal

28. Arun Valley – Makalu Base Camp

3 weeks away from Tumlingtar/Khadbari. You will climb to 5,000 meters and still have 3,500 meters to go to reach the summit! Head back the same way or take a couple of 6000’ers up to the Khumbu region.

29. Kanchenjunga

3 weeks away from Taplejung, the third highest mountain in the world. Do not trust to find accommodations here. Permits are $10 per person per week.

30. Patibhara

1 week away from Taplejung. The Pathibhara Devi shrine is a place of pilgrimage for Hindus and Buddhists alike. There are cabins along the way.